These Symptoms May Indicate Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is, unfortunately, becoming an ever-more common health problem worldwide. Diabetes causes detrimental effects throughout the entire body, damaging various tissues and organ systems. Among these are the eyes, and patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes may be at greater risk of developing certain ocular conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.

But you can help guard your sight and ocular well-being by contacting us at Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth or Delray Beach, FL.

These symptoms may indicate diabetic retinopathy

As with all conditions, not just those affecting the eyes, it’s essential to know the symptoms that may indicate a developing problem so you can seek timely diabetic eye care. Diabetes is a gradual disease that progressively causes harm throughout the body.

If one’s blood sugar levels are not regulated, these circulating blood sugars cause physical damage to blood vessels and other biological structures. This body-wide harm is why it’s important to seek diabetic eye care as soon as possible. The earlier we detect the issue, the earlier we can begin treatment and management strategies to help you hold onto your eye health and visual acuity. So, it’s crucial to know the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy:

• Disturbances in your visual field, such as seeing a proliferation of “floaters”

• If you experience your visual field becoming smaller, or other types of vision loss

• Reduced visual acuity

• The appearance of dark areas in your field of vision

• Flashes of light in your field of vision (photopsia)

• Color blindness (deuteranopia)

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or have any related or other concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Palm Beach Eye Center or visit us at one of our practices in Palm Beach County.

What do diabetic retinopathy outcomes look like?

Diabetic retinopathy may develop within a few years of the development of diabetes, typically 3 – 5 years. Since it’s linked to diabetes, diabetic retinopathy cannot be cured and will require routine care to maintain one’s best-possible results.

Additionally, vision loss through diabetic retinopathy is irreversible, so it’s vital to seek the earliest possible diagnosis and treatments. Fortunately, there are numerous treatments available, such as medication, laser-based techniques, and eye injections, among other potential options.

What’s best for you? It depends on a patient-by-patient basis, but we’ve helped countless patients improve and maintain their ocular situation. And we’re thrilled to do the same for you by formulating all your factors to tailor a treatment plan for your unique status and needs.

There are also some at-home lifestyle strategies you can employ daily. Since this condition is tied to diabetes, one can earn a better outcome by managing their diabetes, namely, their blood sugar. Enacting a healthier diet, remaining active, and getting regular eye exams are significant impactors.

Personalized treatment can protect your vision and eye health

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the deleterious consequences of diabetes. In addition to other bodily systems, the eyes are afflicted by elevated blood sugars. As a result, the delicate ocular capillary networks may be damaged, leading to vision loss. But you can protect your visual acuity and overall eye health through treatment strategies from Palm Beach Eye Center.

We understand the unique situation of those with diabetes and would love to help in Palm Beach County at our practices in Lake Worth or Delray Beach, FL. So contact us today!